State College Football: Week 9 Predictions

At this point of this season, are the teams really what they think we are, or are they capable of rising from the muck and doing some surprising things yet?

This week, we'll find out. Especially about Michigan State.

Michigan (7-0) at Michigan State (2-5) -- Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, noon Saturday

The Spartans have plummeted this season after making the playoffs in 2015. Michigan, meanwhile, has risen as a top contender to make this year's playoff. Can Sparty rise from the ashes and turn this season around with a HUGE upset? I haven't seen anything from them to indicate that they could, but rivalry football is a funny thing. Sparty has OWNED the Wolverines recently, winning seven of the last eight games. Taunting the Blue with the Paul Bunyan Trophy one more time would heal a lot of wounds.

Not gonna happen: M 24, MSU 10

Kent State (2-6) at Central Michigan (5-3) -- Kelly Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, noon Saturday

Last week's beat down at Toledo was a reminder about how the Chippewas are still not among the elite in the MAC West Division. This week will be a reminder about how crappy the MAC East Division is, as Kent State limps into Mt. Pleasant having lost four of its last five. If Central's leaky defense can keep the Flashes QB NIck Holley in check, this one will be over early. If they don't, it will be a high scoring afternoon in Mt. Dismal.

CMU 45, Kent 22

Miami (2-6) at Eastern Michigan (5-3) -- Rynearson Stadium, Ypsilanti, 3:30pm Saturday

The Hurons, um, er, Eagles are vastly improved this season, and for a brief time, gave undefeated Western a scare last week. Miami has won its last two games, mostly because QB Gus Ragland has pumped a little offense into the Red Hawks. But this isn't your dad's EMU, their new found success will lead them to another win.

EMU 37, Miami 20

Western Michigan (8-0) at Ball State (4-4) -- Schuemann Stadium, Muncie IN, 8pm Tuesday

The 20th ranked Broncos looked a little human in their win over Eastern, but head coach P.J. Fleck isn't about to give up on an undefeated season, especially now that their closest MAC West contender Toledo was upset last night at home by Ohio, 31-26. Row the boat, lads, row the boat.

WMU 44, Ball So Hard U 14

Findlay (4-4) at Grand Valley State (8-0) -- Lubbers Stadium, Allendale, 7pm Saturday

The Lakers are steaming toward an end of season showdown with Wayne State in Detroit on November 12, which could be for the GLIAC North title, provided the Warriors get by Ferris Saturday. With 17 seniors playing their last home game, I don't think the Lakers will be lacking for emotion against a tough Oiler team.

GVSU 31, Findlay 17

Wayne State (7-1) at Ferris State (6-2) -- Top Taggert Field, Big Rapids, 1pm Saturday

A huge game for Wayne, as they try ro keep pace with Grand Valley in the GLIAC North. Ferris, meanwhile, wants to put a quality win on their belt in their quest to get a NCAA Division II playoff berth. It will probably come down to Ferris' defense and their ability to keep a Warrior offense putting up 40 points a game in check. If they do that, I think the offense will cover.

Ferris 42, Wayne 30